This Sunday we could call “derby Sunday”, since we got 3 among the biggest derbies in Europe football. We got derby games in England (Liverpool vs. Manchester United), Turkey (Fenerbahce vs. Besiktas) and Spain (Barcelona vs. Real Madrid).
22/03/2015 – Liverpool vs. Manchester United 13:30 GMT
England derby between Liverpool and Manchester is kicking off first. Rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is probably one of the biggest rivalries in Europe. If you didn’t know these two clubs are two most successful clubs in England, together they won 121 trophies. This will be game between 5th (Liverpool) and 4th (Manchester United) in Premiership and a lot is on stake. First four spots in Premiership leads to UEFA Champions League and fifth place lead to UEFA Europa League, so we could say that winner of this match will be in good chance to go in UEFA Champions League next season. After draw at Merseyside derby Liverpool manage to get four wins in row (Tottenham 3-2; Southampton 2-0; Manchester City 2-1; Burnley 2-0; Swansea 1-0) and to move from middle to top part of the Premiership table. United is now on three game win streak (Sunderland 2-0; Newcastle 1-0; Tottenham 3-0) but what is more important in their last game they finally start looking as a team. Brendon Rodgers cannot count on Bradley Jones, Lucas Leiva, and Jordon Ibe while Jon Flanagan and Mario Balotelli are doubtful for this game. Louis van Gaal is without Robin van Persie and Johnny Evans while Marcos Rojo and James Wilson are under question mark for this game. If we look head-to-head in 190 games between these two clubs Liverpool won 63 and United is at 70 wins so far. If we look only at games played on Anfield then from 90 games Liverpool won 45 and United only 25. Last game in R16 of Premiership end in clean 3-0 wins for United.
22/03/2015 – Fenerbahce vs. Besiktas 18:00 GMT
Couple of hours after England derby is over one of biggest Turkey derbies will start. Game between Fenerbahce and Besiktas is like game between Liverpool and United. This is game between two most successful clubs in Turkey; together they have 64 titles (Fenerbahce 34; Besiktas 30). Also with another Istanbul giant Galatasaray these two clubs are one of most popular sport collectives in Turkey. This will also be a match between 3rd (Fenerbahce) and 1st (Besiktas), now Besiktas got 4 points lead in front Fenerbahce and 2 points in front Galatasaray. Fenerbahce is not looking good in Turkey Super Lig, from last four games they got 2 losses, 1 draw and 1 win. Besiktas is slightly better from last 4 they manage to get 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, but their performance in the Europa League was disappointing. Ismail Kartal Fenerbahce boss don’t have any injury players but Gokhan Gonul, Bekir Irtegun and Mehmet Topuz are doubtful for this game. Slaven Bilic Besiktas boss got a lot more problems about his squad Alexander Milosevic, Ismail Koybasi and Jose Sosa are all on injury list. Pedero Franco is under suspension and Atiba Hutchinson, Tomas Sivok and Ugur Boral are also doubtful to take part in this game. If we look at head-to-head then this will be their 338 meeting, Fenerbahce is slightly better with 127 wins while Besiktas manage to get 123 wins. Last meeting these two clubs in Super Lig end with 2-0 win for Fenerbahce, will Besiktas get revenge it remains to see.
22/03/2015 – Barcelona vs. Real Madrid 22:00 GMT
And for the end of our “derby Sunday” we will watch “mother of all derbies” or El Clasico. There aren’t any words to describe what this game means to both Barcelona and Real Madrid fans. This El Clasico might decide who will be new champions of Primera Division. Barcelona is waiting Real Madrid from first place in Primera Division but with only one points lead in front of Real. Only 4 rounds ago Real Madrid was leading Primera division with 4 points lead, but then in only two rounds they bring Barcelona back to life. First they draw against Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu and in next round they loss against Atletico Bilbao. Real manage to get back on track with win in last round against Levante but we will see will that be enough. Barcelona was in Real situation 4 round ago when they lost against Malaga. But three easy wins against Granada, Rayo Vallecano and Elche and six goals from Lionel Messi give Barcelona second chance. Both of coaches have almost entire roster on disposal, only Vermaelen for Barcelona and Rodriguez for Real aren’t participating in this clash. In head-to-head from 228 games Real is slightly better with 92 wins while Barcelona got 88. But if we look at games played only on Nou Camp then from 113 games Barcelona got 64 wins while Real win only 26. Last two games between these two clubs go in Real Madrid favor, in R9 at Santiago Bernabeu Real won 3-1 and in final game of Copa del Rey Real won 2-1. But that don’t matter only thing that matter is who will be better Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale or Messi, Neymar and Suarez. We would not probably have answer after this game, but we might enjoy it.
Photos by yira_albornoz,
Photo by Oh-Barcelona.com
Photo by Sean MacEntee
Derby Sunday in front of us: Manchester vs. Liverpool, Fenerbahce vs. Besiktas and El Clasico Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
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